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32. Couples

"Hey guys." Jeno approached the group of boys with his signature smile.

It was a Friday evening. Jeno knew he could find everyone gathered at their favorite cafe; Cafe Vision. Having some fun after school until its late, was their thing. That cafe was the perfect place for them.

Everyone was seated at their usual table; some eating, some drinking, some flirting. Just the normal stuff.

"Look, it's Lee Jeno." Donghyuck added with an eye roll, earning a small smack on his arm by Taeyong.

Jeno didn't dare to argue. Its been three days and almost everyone in that friend group was shading him. He endured it all cause he deserved it.

"Hey," Meisoo who came with Jeno, greeted with a small wave of hand. "I'm here too."

"We can see that." Yuta added with a smile.

Silence.

"No one is gonna talk?" Taeyong asked, giving a look at each and everyone of them. "Jeno? Don't you have anything to say? What brought you here?"

"Why, can't I come here like I used to do?"

"Of course you can." Doyoung said. "What we are asking is, what's the special occasion? You look like you have some announcement to make."

"Yeah, right." Jeno slightly nodded. "I do have something important to say."

"Like what?" Ten asked, getting comfortable on Johnny's lap. "Is this about Jaemin?"

"Ten." Several voices called at the same time.

"What?" The said boy asked back. "Since when do we can't say his name? It's not like we have to forget him. I love that kid, okay?"

"I did too. But not anymore." Doyoung said back.

"See," Ten almost scoffed. "This is what I'm talking about. Everyone is taking Jeno's side. For what?"

"Thank you." Donghyuck exclaimed in relief. "At least one person who agrees with me."

"Can we please stop getting into teams?" Taeyong offered. "Personally I think we shouldn't be talking about this."

"I don't know, I'm actually here for the drama." Yuta said lazily, giving heart eyes at Jeno. "Yall kids have better drama than us."

Even tho few scolded him for that, everyone seemed to agree with that statement. The younger group had some interesting drama going on.

"Alright, let's get to the point."  Taeyong said with a gentle smile. "What is it Jeno?"

"Well....." Jeno started awkwardly.

Everyone waited.

Jeno tried his best to be natural, slowly taking Meisoo's hand in his. He locked their hands together, getting confident.

"I'm dating Mei." He blurted out. "We're dating. She's my girlfriend."

No one spoke.

It was like the calm before a storm.

Then one by one, everyone started talking at the same time.

"I'm sorry, come again?" Taeyong asked in pure shock.

"Is he serious?" Doyoung copied the same tone. "Jeno, I love you and all but what the heck do you mean you're dating her?"